India recently celebrated her 75th Independence Day and a lot of us in our celebratory fervour went ahead with our usual display of “patriotism” using the tri-color or some version of the colors themselves. Many of my friends also celebrated the day by dressing up for the flag-hoisting in their unique take on the tri-color and all of them looked so vibrant and lovely. Thankfully, maybe because of the pandemic, I didn’t see as many plastic flags carelessly strewn or discarded after the celebrations as is the usual norm.
As is usual at this time, I also got many forwards on Independence Day and congratulatory messages. One such message was interesting and caught my attention – though I have watched the Independence Day & Republic Day parades on TV and participated in ‘flag-hoisting’ events in school, college, workspace and community, I had not consciously register the difference till date.
Of course, I knew that the Independence Day flag is hoisted at the Red Fort by the Hon. Prime Minister Of India whereas on Republic Day, the flag is ‘hoisted’ at Rajpath by the Hon. President Of India. But I didn’t not know that on I-Day the flag is hoisted and on R-day it is unfurled. This is a very small difference and may not be noticed by many, like me. However, this is a very significant difference and is deeply symbolic. So apart from forwarding this particular message, I thought I would also create a small blog about it and also includes guidelines of the proper usage of flags.
Independence Day is celebrated on 15th August to honor the date that India got freedom from the British Raj and honours the memory so many Freedom Fighters who helped us achieve it. On this day, the flag is folded and tied to the middle of the flag pole. It is then pulled up or ‘hoisted’ up to the top of the pole with the help of the rope and then is opened with a tug to let it fly in all its glory. This is symbolic of India’s journey to freedom and what is celebrated on that day.
Republic Day is celebrated on 26th January to mark the day when India as a Republic and the Indian Constitution came into effect. On this day, the Indian tri-colour is folded and tied to the top of the flagpole. It is then just unfurled and spread out with a tug of the rope. This is symbolic of a country that is already free. Hence, the flag is not placed at a lower level or at the middle of the flagpole to be hoisted.
When I was researching this interesting trivia, I also came across the Flag Code Of India as mandated by the Ministry Of Home Affairs, Government Of India. From the color panels to be used, the correct sizes to be followed, which side it should face to where it should be placed, the documents covers everything one needs to know. If you want to read more about the same, click here for the Flag Code Of India official document. This document is useful all citizens of India who want to display the flag to show their patriotism, as well as for people who are in charge of organising events for such celebrations. As the document says, “The Indian National Flag represents the hopes and aspirations of the people of India. It the symbol of our national pride.” While there is undeniable pride and love for the tri-color, let us consciously learn to respect it too by displaying it correctly.
I had also previously written a post on how we can show our patriotism in the everyday things we do, which also included a video on the tri-color. To read more, click here.
Jai Hind!
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla and sponsored by Bakez by Daizy
Interest post, Vasumathi! It’s very educative for people like us who have never gone to google such things though we learnt some of it in school. Keep writing!
Flag code of India, should be read by every indian. We never do research on such topic except the wishes and images. Thank you for providing this important information.
Interesting post! I shared it with my kids and they also loved it. Every Indian must know the flag code and abide by it. Thank you for this informative post! Keep writing. I will check out your other posts on the Indian flag as well. Keep writing!
This is really interesting, Vasumathi. I have to confess, although I am aware of the flag code being an army brat and all, I did not know about the hoisting and unfurling bit. Sometimes, these forwards do contain such gems. Thanks so much for sharing about it.
Thanks for letting us know about the Flag Code of India. Also for sharing the difference between hoisting and unfurling. This post was an eye-opener. Glad I read it.
Such an insightful post I must say. I forgot most of the points especially when to fold the flag and all and your post reminds me of school days when we keep remembering these facts. Loved the post
Yes, most of the people don’t know these facts. Thaks for posting the detailed article Vasumati.
I knew about the flag code but I wasn’t aware of the difference between hoisting and unfurling. This is very interesting and it’s a bit sad that we claim to be patriotic but are unaware of the basics. I don’t think any of my text books mentioned this difference ever (and I was a diligent student, leaving no sentence in the book unread 😁).
I was totally unaware of the fact. Really appreciate your effort to do a research on this matter and let us know. From now on, I’ll check this when we’ll celebrate Independence day and Republic day at our locality.
Very nice post Vasumathi 👍 actually most of the people don’t know the difference between hoisted and unfurled. Thanks for sharing this post so that many people will know that it’s different.
Great post, Vasumathi. Wish many read it and know the difference between hoisting and unfurling. I used to have the honour of tying the flag in school and I was told by my teachers, about the difference.
The small change signifies the entire purpose of the day, thanks for sharing this.
Wow I didn’t see that coming and thinking that all the while we were wrong about the celebration. Thanks for the insight.
I was not knowing this , this is quite informative 🙂
Will Google now
Ghazala
Informative post and this post clarified the meaning of hoisted or unfurled and the position of folded flag. We all should know about Flag Code .
Thank you for sharing.
Informative post. Thank you for sharing the subtle difference between the two.
Wow, I didn’t know that Flag is hoisted on Independence Day and unfurled on Republic Day! The difference between the two words should be clear to all especially Indians:)
Thanks for adding to our knowledge.
I am glad you wrote about this difference in your article. I myself recently came to this knowledge on the difference between unfurling and hoisting and through articles as yours many like me will know it too.
This is really informative. I know the difference between hosting and unfurling, but I never really paid attention to the practice on Independence day. You are right. People should be aware of the flag code and the correct way of using it.
A very nice post. Learnt something unheard of, today. Will share with my friends as well.
What an interesting post to mark this momentous occasion! I must admit, I did not know this difference!
Never happened to even think over this and I’m sure many of us have not. It is important for us to know these details. Great share!
Thank you for sharing the difference between Flag Hoisting and Flag Unruffling, I can share this post to to all my friends. Jai Hind 🎉
Really I never noticed this difference. After reading your post I understood the difference and significance of hoisting and unfurling.
Very interesting post Also every knowledgeable
Informative post!!!